New Kent bats back Metheny pitching in 8-1 drubbing of Poquoson

New Kent second baseman Hunter Pitts makes a running grab on a pop-up in foul ground off the bat of Poquoson's Austin Gault after calling off first baseman Bryan Brooks on the second inning play.

Alan Chamberlain photo

New Kent bats pounded out five hits during a five-run second inning that placed the host Trojans well on their way to an 8-1 baseball conquest of Poquoson’s Islanders.

Trojan pitcher Mitchell Metheny, meanwhile, shackled the Islanders on just four hits in going the distance. He fanned nine while allowing a single walk as the hosts evened their record at 5-5.

“He pitched a very good game,” said his coach, Michael Kuper. “He also hit a two-run double off the top of the wall in that big second inning, so he had a very good game overall.”

Islander starting pitcher Hunter Schmidt didn’t last long. He walked the only three batters he faced. New Kent then employed aggressive base running to take advantage of those walks.

After walking, lead-off hitter Jacob Rivera stole second before bolting to third on a wild pitch. Jared Mitchell drew the second walk as well as a throw from behind the plate while stealing second, enabling Rivera to sprint home putting New Kent ahead to stay.

Chris Wade led off the Trojan second against reliever Cole Jackson with a drive to deep left that caromed off the glove of leftfielder Donovan Edwards. Wade never stopped running until he reached third. Hunter Pitts then singled up the middle to drive in Wade.

Bryan Brooks singled to center, placing two aboard for Mitchell who bounced a RBI single past shortstop. With two away, Metheny unleashed a towering blast that missed clearing the left field fence by about a foot, upping the advantage to 5-0. Brooks then singled past third to drive in the sixth run.

“That was probably the best inning we’ve had this year,” Kuper said. “We were really stroking it. We got out to that good lead and were able to add insurance runs in the fifth.”

Mason Tate doubled to lead off the Trojan fifth. Riggs Ellis walked, and both runners moved up a base on Wade’s sacrifice bunt. Tate then scored on Pitts’ fielder’s choice, and Ellis crossed the plate for an 8-0 lead on a two-out single by Brooks.

Poquoson averted a shutout with its lone run in the seventh.